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Burnett to throw bullpen session; Madson progressing

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sean Burnett, limited after experiencing lower back stiffness on Feb. 18, is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend.

By next week, he should appear in his first Cactus League game.

"As a reliever, he might need to repeat [the bullpen session] just to make sure he comes out of it, but he's a short-term guy," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He doesn't need to get stretched out like a starter would. He just needs to get functional, get some stamina, get some stiffness out, rebound, work on his pitches. Relievers are going to be able to get ready for a season in eight or 10 innings, and he'll get that easy."

Ryan Madson, slowly working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has stretched out his throwing program to about 90 feet and could reach his limit, 120 feet, by early next week. The next step after that would be to start getting off a mound.